dSLR Dad

Imaging Resource has published their review of the SIGMA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM lens:

Like most ”vacation” zooms, the trick is to know the parameters where they function best. Sigma’s latest iteration of this lens offers a bit more telephoto performance, for which the integrated optical image stabilization is crucially useful. Unfortunately the lens’ maximum aperture decreases quickly as the lens is zoomed out, to the point where at 80mm, you’re using a ƒ/5.6 lens. This design allows the lens to be kept as small as it is, but at that point you’re needing either a sunny day, an external flash, or a steady hand (even with the image stabilization) to get reasonably sharp photos.

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Imaging Resource has published their review of the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens:

The 35mm ƒ/1.8G DX fills an obvious hole in Nikon’s lineup, and with its very reasonable price point Nikon may have found a way to ride out the recession. In our tests, the lens performs very well, with good results for sharpness at ƒ/1.8, becoming excellent at ƒ/2.8. Chromatic aberration is visible but not overly objectionable and light falloff is nicely controlled. Distortion is a little high for our tastes, especially if the lens is to be marketed as a ‘’standard” lens. But for the money you can’t beat it, especially if what you’ve had to work with has been an 18-55mm kit zoom.

You can read the complete review at SLR Gear.  As always, you can find more news and reviews at the dSLR Dad Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens Resource Guide.

Imaging Resource has published their hands-on preview of a pre-production Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i:

So it’s pretty clear, if the Beta unit’s quality holds up, that the Canon Rebel T1i’s image quality is at least as good as the Canon 50D, delivering more detail than most of the 12-megapixel cameras on the market for less money. Noise suppression is a bigger factor, but you can also turn that noise reduction down or off completely, or shoot 14-bit RAW, something we’ll explore in greater depth when we get a shipping version of the Canon T1i.

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The Imaging Resource has published their review of the Sony SAL-70400G 70-400mm f4-5.6G Lens:

Sony has produced an exceptional lens with the 70-400mm ƒ/4-5.6. Sharpness is very good when used wide open, and only improves when stopped down, offering tack-sharp results even at ƒ/5.6. Image quality is little less amazing when used in the 300-400mm range, but considering what Sony’s previous telephoto zooms have offered at 300mm, Sony has come a long way. Chromatic aberration is very low, light falloff is minimal (except when used on the A900, wide open) and distortion is very well-controlled. Combined with the excellent build quality and focusing options, the 70-400mm is definitely built to perform, and perhaps make other camera brand owners slightly jealous.

You can read the entire review at SLR Gear.

Imaging Resource has published their review of the Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC Macro AF Lens:

As the Tamron 18-270mm and the ”name-brand” competition are all floating around the same price point, the decision of whether to buy this lens or a Nikon / Canon equivalent comes down to how badly you need the extra 70mm of distance. Image quality is fairly consistent between these lenses, with perhaps a nod towards the Tamron, but autofocus speed and quality is better with the competition. For what it’s trying to be though, the Tamron produces good results, an excellent alternative to carting around several lenses.

You can read the entire review at SLR Gear.

Well, I guess you could say better late than never.  Canon has finally filled one of the largest holes in their consumer lens lineup.  The Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 Image Stabilized (IS) Zoom Lens offers dSLR Dads an option for an everyday, ‘walk-around’ vacation lens.  What is somewhat perplexing, is that this is built upon Canon’s entry-level EF-S lens platform.  This means that Canon will be speaking highly of ‘value’ when it describing the features of this lens.  Value, in this case, both for the consumer and Canon’s business case.  The highlights of this lens include: (more…)